Excavating machinery



G. W, UMSTEAD- EXCAVATING MACHINERY,

Aug. 31 1926.

G. W. UMSTEAD EXCAVATING MACHINERY 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 19

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Patented Aug. 3l, i925.

UNITE STATE.

GEORGE W. "UMSTEAD, OF 'UPPER SANDUSISY, OHIO.

nxcavnfrrne- MACHINERY.

Application filed .Eebr'uar?,7 19, 1921.

lily invention relates to excavating machinery, and in particular to ditching machinery.

The object of my invention is to provide a combined tractor and ditcher which may move to and from the job on which it may be employed under' its own power and will utilize the same power for the ditching operations. lt is an object of my invention to provide motive power which will drive the mechanism at varying road speeds and motive power which willl drive the ditcher at varying speeds. lt is also an object oi' my invention to provide a ditcher, the mecha nism or which may be actuated for the adjustment of the several positions of the eX- cavatino' and conveying machinery by the same source of motive power which actuates it to accomplish its other objects.` lt is an object of the invention to provide a ditchw ing machine that will require the services of a single operator. It is an object of my invention to provide a ditching machine which the single operator may suitably direct so that the ditch will be made in conformity vith the plane on which the ditch is laid out. lieretotore, it has been a source of diiiiculty that ditchers could not be kept upon the line of the ditch as it was laid out.

' lily invention solves this problem. It is an object oi' the invention to provide a tractor with wheels which will be suitable for both road and field work. it is an obyect or my invention to provide interchangeable cutting members on the cutting or excavating wheel. lt is further my object to provide a plurality of cutting members which will cut away successive and diilerent portions of a ditch. lt is an object of my invention to provide a self-cleaning cutting wheel. It is an object orn my invention to provide a cutting wheel and an adjustable conveyor for delivering the material either into the ditch after the ditch has been excavated and the tile laid therein or to one side of the ditch. or upon a truck or trailer adjacent to the ditch. lt is a further object oit my invention to provide various improvements in the gear mechanism and in the gear shitting mechanism, as well as various improvements in the' mechanism and method of operation of the ditcher proper, its positioning and elevation for transportation on the road, and its operation in the ditch. lt is also an object to provide a source of power for turning by belt any auxiliary machinesy Serial No. 446,358.

such as a sharpening machine, etc., for the cutting blades.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the ditching portion of the mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a part of the tractor mechanism;

lig. t is a plan view partially in section oi a bearing for certain sha-its;

Fig. 5 is a section of a portion of the gear shifting mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a sectionoi2 one of the cutting blades;

Fig. 7 is a section of the excavating wheel and a portion of the conveyor;

Fig. 8 is a section of one of the cutting blades;

Fig. 9 is a section of the cutting wheel;

Fig. 10 is a section of another of the cutting blades;

Fig. 11 is a detail plan of the conveyor with'the cutting wheel in section;

Fig. 12 is a view oi a part of the driving gear mechanism on the ditcher;

Fig. 13 is a detail section of the universal driving pulley of the conveyor;

Fig. 14 is an end elevation of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a detail of the tension' apparatus for the belt of the conveyor and the end pulley oit the conveyor; f

Fig. 16 is a. section on the line @Ma of Fig. 15 of the conveyor pulley;

Fig. 17 is a view oit the tile layingmechamsm;

Fig. 18 is a view of a portion of the bucket carrying wheel looking from above7 the buckets being removed and the view disclosing the manner in which the scraper is supported.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is a frame of a tractor mechanism mounted. on the axles 2 and 3 suitably supported on springs. The tractor is guided through the arms l and links 5 in any desired way by a hand wheel or other steering mechanism. In my preferred form the driving wheels 6 have mounted thereon a plurality of cleats 7 interconnected by links 8 and joined at 9 to make a non-skid arrangement on each oir' the driving wheels. This arrangement can be readily removed when it is desired to run upon the highways or ground where the broad tread is not necessary. sired typevointernal combustion engine. The source of power'is immaterial. 11 is a' -10 is any de-' TIO gear box in which there are located a plurality of gears operated by a plurality of control levers to be hereinafter described. The gear box is supported on cross members 12-12. 13 is the main power shaft which drives through suitable gearing, to be hereinafter described, the shaft 14, on which is mounted the pulley 15, the sprocket wheel 16 and the chain 17. This chain 17 is guided by the'rollers 18 and '19 and engages with a sprocket wheel 2O on the shaft 21. 21 is a jack-shaft which drives a pinion 22. 22 meshes internally with ah internal gear 23 carried on an excavating wheel 24. 24 is mounted on a shaft 25 that is journaled in the ditcher frame 2.6 at 27. This wheel 24 is encased on one side by a plate 28 which is carried on the shaft 25, and is prevented from rotation by reason of the passage through the plate lof the shaft 21, the plate being thus a fixed member. The peripheral plates 29 on either side of the wheel forming the `part of the casi-ng are sloped inwardly, forming a dished wheel and rendering the. kconstruction veryrrigid. On the periphery of these dished members are located 'a plurality of cutting members. rlhese members are of three kinds and are located in groups of 3, one of each Ikind being in a group. These cutting members `are known successively at 30, 31 and 32 (see Figures 6, 8 -and 10). It will vbe noted that in 30 there is a struck-up v'portion 33 which gives the .final cut to the bottom ofthe ditch to provide a hollo'wed out Lplace to center the tile to be laid yin the'ditch. Theorder in which the blades .are located on vthe cutting or ditching wheel is 32, 31 and 30. These .Cut-

ting blades are mounted on the periphery of' the wheel 24 in any desired manner. There is a'space 34 between the blades and the .periphery of the wheel 24 between the dished members 28. In this space, at the top of the wheel, is a diverting member 36 that "extends from Vthe outer wall of 29 (see Figures `7 and 9) to the inner guard wall27 adjacent the conveyor. This member "36 is supported by a rod 36a which is secured in'a socket v36" cna framemember 83 hereinafter referred to. A scraper 38 is carried by and rotates withA the wheel and passes'through the slot 39 of the scraper 36. Means for loosening any accumulation of `dirt vis provided by the pin 40 passing` Lthrough the slot 41 in 36. 4'Ofis carried by 29. An additional scraper to remove the earth .from the interior of the cutting members will `be seen at/42 carried on thespring rod 43, which keeps the cutting head v42u11 against theinsid'e of each cutting member'andscrapes therefrom thej dirt sotliatiit'wigll 'drop dowiriupon` 35 and be conveyed away by '36 `'laterally on ktop of the clo'n'lveyor belt 4,4. The conveyor belt' 44 travels' o n .t he `master driving pulley '45 l Whichis actuateilby'the jack-shaft '21.

pulley is journaled on a shaft 48tliat is carried by a yoke 49. This yoke 49 has interposed between it and the main supporting frame 5() a springl 51 that has the constant tendency to keep the belt 44 taut. A frame 52 supports the entire belt actuating and supporting mechanism. The belt is supported at intermediate points through brackets 53 and rollers 54 that are centrally supported by 50. The side walls: to prevent the earth fromvfalling off of the conveyor are formed by the frame 52.

'Theentire conveyor mechanism is supported by a bracket 55. This 'bracket passes through an eye 56 that has a suitable Clamp- 'ing` mechanism 57 for desired position. 50 is pivoted at 58. y

The spring 59'is hooked at 60 and to the fork v61. The fork 61 is pivoted at 62'an'dhas its free end 63 pressing against the guard plate 64 that rests against the end of the i* driving pulley 45. This serves to keep the guard plate in position and also keep the guard plate against the end of the pulley as the yconveyor swings. As the shaft 21 remains stationary and the pulley 45 must necessarily swing with the conveyor, it is essential Ato provide some form of universal joint. y

This joint Ywill be seen in F ignre v123 in section. 21 is the shaft, 46 the driving gear and 45 the pulley. On the interior of this pulley .is provideda ring 65 which is fixed to 45 by the pins 66. A collar 67 is fastened to the shaft 21. On the pin 68 t-he ring isi'swiveled so that can 'turn about the pin and change its position with respect to 21, assuin-ing'the various degrees of angularity to it and still be driven -by it. Thus, as the conveyor `swings from position to position, the shaft 21 will conti-nue to drive 145.

Thismechanism is seen in anotherview in 16 where thereis a section taken on the line 5 5 ofFigure 13.

In Figure 14 is anI end elevationof 'i showinrra slot 69 in the end plate 70 to per mit of the free movement of the pulley with respect to the'driving shaft 21.

ln Figures '11, 12 and 13, will be seen -a pin 71 carried by the sprocket 46. sprocket 46 is carried between two plates 72 "which are he'ld together by 71. Tf the strain becomes too .greatupon 46 this Apin 71 will be sheared so that the cutting wheel will cease to be driif'enand any jamming of the part-s 'or obstruction in its' road will not tear up the'mechanism.4

In Figure .11 will `be seen the :frame-'which supports the ditcheiwproper. `Uprights '73 and 4 in ,the forni otr-beams, --act as aositionino it in an C vce tracks for the rollers carried by the bracket 76 on cross member 77. To this cross member 77 is pivoted at 78 an end frame member 79. The diagonal frame member 26 is fastened at 30 to 79 and at 81 to a lateral frame member 82. An interina diate frame member 83 is connected at 84 to 79 at one end andil at the other end to 26 at 85. There is a cross brace 86 between 26 and 82. 1n 83 and 82 the shaft 25 of the ditching Wheel 24 is journaled. Upon 82 is mounted the crank 87 that is connected at one end to a spring 88. This spring` has one end connected to the crank 87 and the other end connected to a hook or other suitable fastening 89 on 26. The other end of the crank 87 carries a loop or strap 90 in Which is journaled a pulley 91, around which a lifting` cable 92 passes. This lifting cable has one end connected at 93 to the top of the vertical frame 73 and the other end passes over a pulley 94 journaled at 95 in 7 3. The cable 92 passes over 94 to the Winding drum 96 and is actuated through suitable gearing from the source of power 10 at the will of the operator through the gear shifting; mechanism to be described later. This arrangement elevates the outer end of the ditcher frame. The inner end is elevated through the cable 97 which is connected at 98 to the spring,` 99 that is in turn connected to the frame 7 This cable 97 passes around a pulley 100 carried on a bracket 101, mounted on the frame of the ditcher. This cable 97 is Wound on a drum 102 opposite the drum 96 found on the tractor frame. This serves to elevate the inner end of the ditcher frame and the mechanism carried thereby.

In order that the chain 17 may be properly directed and kept taut, there are a plurality of pulleys 18, 19 and 103 carried by the frame 73. The pulley 18 is maintained in its normal position by a spring or other resilient means so that it serves not only as a guiding element but also as a tightener to prevent any slack in the chain.

Beneath the frame 26 of the ditcher is a supporting member 104 that is braced by 105. It also acts as a support for 55. The bottom of 104 is supported on a trough-like member 106 that has the same cross section in general as the cutter 30. It travels along the bottom of the ditch and serves as a vent spacer While the tile is being` laid. lt is preceded by a guard 107.

Referring to the tractor end of the diteher 73. it is braced by 108 which is mounted on the frame 1 of the tractor.

.es stated heretofore, this tractor has a plurality of cross members 1212 which support the various gears and gear boxes. There is a main drive shaft 13 in this tractor which enters the gear box 11 to actuate a plurality of gears.

These gears are shown at 111 in Fig. 1 and constitute the change speed gears or transmission gears forI driving` the shafts 109 and 110 and are not necessary to be described in detail. The shaft 109 drives the tractor and the shaft 110 drives the ditcher. The change gears are controlled by the rods 196 and 197 and rods 204 and 205 which may be Operated by the control levers 184 and 185 in the usual manner. The shaft 109 drives the short shaft 134 through the Worm gearing 133 and this shaft 134 carries a bevel gear 136 which meshes with a bevel gear 137 revolubly mounted on'a shaft 142. Un the shaft 142 is splined a gear 140 Which may be moved in one direction to clutch engagement with the gear 137 or in the othei` direction to engage a gear 141 fixed on the shaft 109. By this means the shaft 142 may be made toirevolve in one direction or the other with respect to the shaft 199. The shafts 109 and 142 are mounted in self alining bearings shovvn in Fig. 4 and hereinafter specifically described. A lever 147 serves to shift the gear 140 by means of a suitable connection not deemed necessary to be described in detail. This shaft 142 drives the differential axle 3 through the differential gearing 156. The shafts -109 and 110 have like means for drivingl the respective drums 96 and 102, and the means for driving the drum 102 consists of a pair of bevel gears 163 and 164 loosely mounted onthe shaft 110 but maintained in position by collars 165. There is a clutch member 166 which is shifted by a suitable fork travelingin the groove 167. This clutch member has the usual clutch faces 168 cooperating with similar clutch faces on 163 or 164. 166 is adapted to slide laterally upon 110 but turns with it. 163 and 164 are in mesh with thel bevel `gear 169 which is mounted on a shaft 170 that carries a suitable Worm. `This Worm meshes With the Worm gear 171 on a shaft 172 that carries the drum 102. 172 is supported by the bracket 173. This shaft 110 also carries a bevel gear 175 which meshes with another bevel Igear 176 carried by the jack shaft 14. This ack shaft 24 is `iournaled in the side frame of the tractor and carries the sprocket 16 which drives the chain 17. 14 also carries the pulley 15.

The steering of the vehicle is controlled by a hand wheel 209 which operates the steeriner shaft 210.

Referring; to the selfaligning,` bearing, shown in Fignre 4, therekwill be seen a supporting; member 144 usually in the form of an angle. iron, but this is not essential. In the upright portion of the angle iron 144 are tivo apertures for the passage of the bearings and the shafts -142 and 109. A bearing 211 in the form of a long sleeve is placed over the shaft 109. A second bearing member 212 tits over 211 and has its exterior tapered to lit in the aperture 214e. A telt washer is slipped over 212 at 213 and embraced between 1114 and a collar 21.5 which also surrounds 212 on the side opposite trom that in which it was inserted. A clamp 216 retains the collar 215 in position, while a clamp 217 on the other side oitI 1111i maintains the wedge-shaped collar 212 in position. Thetwo clamps are held together by the bolt 21S which is positioned by the nut 21.9. It will be apparent that the shafts 142 and 109 may have a considerable degree. ot movement with respect to 111/1'- and with respect to each other, but still be supported in proper bearings 211 and still be able to turn ufithout 'friction so that as the tractor twists under various strains the shaits will not be likewise thrown out. or" alignment by the twisting et the supporting frame but will maintain their proper positions to'pertorm their proper func-tions.

The wheelstl have mounted thereon the endless tractor antislrid device consisting oi a plurality oit lateral members 7 joined together by links S which are attached by bolts 223 which are recessed in the apertures 224 and have heads 225. This chain ot blocks or transverse members is held together by bolts 9 which are countersunk inthe apertures 226 and 227. The nuts 228 serve to adjust the tension of this mechanism upon the tire 229 ot the wheel.

The tile conveying mechanism 270 is composed of a pair of rods joined together by straps 271. The tiles slide down these guideways. The ends of the guideways are tlattened at 272 so that they willlie close upon the bot-tom of the member 10G. A roller 273 is carried by the arms 274 attached to 275 to support 276. The tiles are guided downwardly by the arms 270 beneath the roller which prevents them from jumping ott oit the end ot' the tile conveying mechanism so that they will be delivered in an orderly manner into the bottom of the ditch.

Met/lod 0f Operation..

Then the tractor or `truck is moving along the road the ditcher portion of the mechanism is elevated. The speed of thel tractor is determined by the shitting ot the gears to the lever 184. The character of drive, whether worm or gear tor the tractor, is determined `by the shifting of the lever 147. The operator stands on the steps and operates these gears as welles steers the mechanism through the hand wheel 209.

Then the work is reached, the stakes are laid out indicating the ditch and the job is ready to be started, the ditcher islined up with the stakes so that the operator may look over the sighting rod 220 along this sight mechanism in line with the stakes, and may `determine 'both his direction and depth of cut.

The ditcher proper is lowered by the un- -winding ot the cables 92 and 97 on their drums 96 and 102. The ditcher wheel is started in operation through the shifting of the lever 185 and the earth is thereby cut away, being elevated withthe ditch'er wheel and conveyed awayby the conveyor either to one side ot the ditcher or into the ditch atter the tile has been laid by the tile layer heretofore described. This is at the option of theoperator.

rlhe ditching frame with its ditching mechanism is gradually lowered untilth'e depth of the ditch as desired is reached. The tractor then can be thrown into gear and advanced slowly through the drive, principally the worm drive, so that the action ot the ditcher is a progressive one along the line of the ditch as laid out.

While I "lave shown and described cer- 'ain Yfeatuies as constituting my invention, it will be understood that parts have been shown `for purposes of illustration only, and that 1 do not desire to be limited to such details, as obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled inthe art.

Having thus fully described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is z- 1. In combination an automotive vehicle driven by a source of power, a ditching means associated with said automotive vehicle, means carried by said automotive vehicle ttor bringing said ditching means in position tor ditching, means associated with said automotive vehicle for regulating the position of the ditching means for ditching, said means consisting of independent agencies for' controlling the respective positions of the outer and inner ends of said means for ditching, said means for supporting the inner end of the ditching means being adapted to support it in a plurality ot' positions, means regulating the movement ot' the automotive vehicle, means connected with said source ot power on an automotive vehicle for actuating the ditching means, means for varying the speed of the ditching means, and means tor varying the speed ot the automotive vehicle.

2. In combination, an automotive vehicle driven by a source of power, a ditching means associated with said automotive vehicle, means carried by said automotive vehicle :tor bringing said ditching rmeans in position for ditching, means associated with said automotive vehicle for regulating the position of the ditching means tor ditching, means regulating the movement ofthe automotive vehicle, means connected with said source of power onk an automotive vehicle for actuating the ditchingineans, means for varying the speed ofthe ditching means, means `tor varying the seed of the automotive vehicle, said means locatedin a single housing having the mechanism therein driven from a common source of power and control means remotely located as a unit for controlling all of said means, said controlling means being adjacent to the operator and the'ditching means, whereby the operator may observe the operation of the ditching` means, the progress of the vehicle and still control the remotely located means for varying the speed of the vehicle and the speed of the ditching means, and means driven by the means to actuate the ditching means for conveying material excavated by the ditching means.

3. In combination, an automotive vehicle, a source of power mounted thereon, gear mechanism interposed between the source of power and the drive wheels for a plurality of speeds forward and a reverse speed, gear mechanism for a plurality of speeds for driving a ditcher integral with said automotive vehicle actuated by said source of power, a plurality of types of drive for actuating said automotive vehicle, said means located in a single housing' having the mechanism therein driven from a common source of power and control means remotely located as a unit for controlling all of said means, said controlling means being adjacent to the operator and the ditching means, whereby the operator may observe theoperation of the ditching means, the progress of the vehicle and still control the remotely located means for varying the speed of the vehicle and the speed of the ditching means, a ditcher, a frame for carryingl said ditcher, a conveyor supported on said frame driven with said ditcher by said source of power, means connected with the outer end of said frame of the ditcher to the automotive vehicle adapted to be actuated by said source of power for lowering and elevating the outer end of the ditcher, a similar means for lowering and elevating the inner end of the "ditcher frame, means on said automotive vehicle and said ditcher frame for permitting a relative adjustment of them with respect to one another, whereby a ditch may be excavated.

e. In combination, an automotive vehicle, a source of power mounted thereon, gear mechanism interposed between the source of power and the drive wheels for a plurality of speeds forward and a reverse speed, gear mechanism for a plurality of speeds for driving a ditcher integral with said auto-- motive vehicle actuatedv by said source of power, a plurality of types of drive for actuating said automotive vehicle, said means located in a single housing having the mechanism therein driven from a common source of power and control means remotely located as a unitfor controlling all Vof said means, said controlling means being adjacent to the operator and the ditching means,

whereby the operator may observe the operation of the ditching means, the progress of the vehicle and still contro-l the remotely located means for varying the speed of the vehicle and the speed of the ditching means,

p a ditcher, a frame for carrying said ditcher,

a conveyor supported on said frame driven with said ditcher by said source of power, means connected with the outer end kof said frame of the ditcher to the automotive vehicle adapted to be actuated by said source of power for lowering andelevating the outer end` of the ditcher, asimilar means for lowering and elevating the inner end of the ditcher frame, means on said automotive vehicle and said ditcher frame for permitting a relative adjustment of them with respect to oneV another and means connected with said ditcher frame for placingl a conduit in said ditch, whereby a ditch may be excavated and a conduit laid therein.

5. In combination, a ditching wheel, means located internally of said wheel for actuating it, means to completely encloseA said wheel to prevent material from entering said wheel from any direction, a plurality of cutting elements mounted on the periphery thereof, and means for dislocating material that adheres on the interior of said cutting elements.

6. In combination, a ditching wheel, means located internally of said wheel for actuating it, means to completely enclose said wheel to prevent material fromenter ing .said wheel from any direction, a plurality of cutting` elements mounted on the periphery thereof, means for dislocating mate 1ial that adheres on the interior of said cutting elements, and means for dislocating the material that adheres to said cutting wheel.V

7. In conibination,` a ditching wheel, means located internally of said wheel for actuating it, means to completely enclose said wheel to prevent material from entering said wheel from any direction, a plurality of cutting elements mounted on the periphery thereof, means for dislocating material that adheres on the interior of said cutting elements, means for dislocating the material that adheres to said cutting wheel, and means for dislodging material adhering to said last mentioned means on the ente rior of the wheel when saidmaterial is being removed therefrom.

8. In combination, a supporting frame, a shaft journaledtherein, an internal gear carried by said shaft and spaced therefrom, means to drive said internal gear, means to enclose said driving means and said internal gear on the sides and the periphery thereof, an outwardly flaring wall attached to the periphery of the wheel so formed,

a plurality of cutting andy elevating elements mounted on said upwardly an outlli) iat

wardly projectingwall,` whereby as the gear is rotatedl the material may be excavated; and elevated. n

9,. In combination, a supporting frame, a shaft journaled therein,` an internal gear carriedby saidl shaft and spaced there'froim means to. drive said internal gear, means to enclose said, driving means and' said inter-r nal gear on the sidesl and' the periphery thereof, an outwardly laringwall attached to the periphery of the wheel so formed, a plurality of cutting and elevatingelements mounted on said; wall, and means forre'moving material from said cutting and elevating means, whereby, asthe gear is rotated, the material may be excavated and elevated.

, 10. In combination, a supporting frame, a shaft journaled. therein, an internal gear carried by said shaft and spaced therefrom, means to drive said internal gear, means to enclose said driving means and said internaly gear on thev sides and the .periphery thereof, an outwardly flaringI wall` attached to the periphery of the wheel so formed, a plurality of cuttingv and elevating elements mounted on said wall, means for removing material from said cutting and elevating means, and means for removing material that adheres tov thev periphery of the wheel so formed, whereby, as the gear is rotated, the material may be excavated and elevated.

11. In combination, a frame, a wheeljoun naled therein, an internal gear carried by said wheel, a pinion meshing on the interior of said gear, a drum on the periphery of said wheel and saidl gear, a plate to completely enclose one sidek of said wheel, a second plate to completely enclose the other side of said wheel and gear, said last mentioi'ied plate remaining stationary with the frame but closely adjacent to said wheel' and gear, means to driveV said pinion, a

Y, guard wall on one edge of the periphery olwheel.

'said drum formed on the periphery of the wheel and a plurality of cutting and elevating members on the periphery of said 12. In combination, a frame, a wheel ournaled therein, an internal gear carried by said wheel, a pinion meshing on the interior of said gear, a drum on the. periphery of:

frame but closely adjacent to said wheeland"r gear, means to drive saidv pinion, a guard wall on one edge of' the periphery ofV saidy drum formed on the periphery of the wheel,

and a plurality Otcutting and elevating members on the periphery of said wheel, said cutting niemberscutting insuccession different portions of' the ditch.

13. .In combination, a frame, a wheel jour naled` therein, an internal gear carried by said wheel, arpinion meshing on the interior ot said gear, a drum on the periphery of said wheel and said gear, a plate to completely enclose one side ot said wheel, a second plate to completely enclose theother side ot said wheel and gear, said last mentioned plate remaining stationary with the frame but closely adjacent to said wheel and gear, meansto drive said pinion, a guard wall on one edge of vthe periphery of said drum for-med on the periphery of the wheel, a plurality of cutting and elevating members on the periphery of said wheel, and a guard wall on the periphery of saiddrum on the other side from the first mentioned gua-rd wall, said second guardv wall; being stationary with the frame.

14,. In combination, a frame, a wheel journaled therein, an. internalgear carried by said wheel, ay pinion meshing on the interior of saidgear, a drum on the periphery otsaid wheel and said gear, a plate to enclose one side of said.y wheel, a second plate to enclose the other side ofsaid wheel and gear,

'said last mentioned plate remaining stationary with the frame butr closely adjacent to said wheely and. gear, means to drive said pinion, a guard wall on one edge of the periphery otsaid drum formed on the periphery of the wheel, av plurality of cutting and elevating members on. the periphery of said wheel, a guard wall on the periphery oisaid drum on the other side from the first mentioned guard wall, said second guard wall Vbeing stationary withy the trame, and means carried on the drum for removing any materialA adhering to the last mentioned guard wall.

15. In combination, a frame, a wheel journaled therein, an internal gear carried by said wheel, a pinion meshing. on the inteiior of said gear, aI drum on the periphery ot said wheel. and said gear, a plate to completely enclose one side of said wheel, a second plate to completely enclose the other side ot said wheel andgear, said last mentioned plate remaining stationary with the frame but closely adjacent to said wheel and gear, means to drive said pinion, a guard wall on one edge of the periphery of said drum formed'pon the periphery of the wheel, a plurality of cutting and elevating members on the periphery of said wheel, and a defiecting scraper supported on said 'trame and extending adjacent the druin and said side walls to remove material elevated on said drum.

16. In combination, a frame, a wheel joui" naled therein, an internal gear carried by said wheel, a pinion meshing on the interior of; said gear, a drum on the periphery of said wheel and said gear, plate to completely enclose one` sideofl said wheel, aV sec` ond plate -to completely enclose the other side of said wheel and gear, said last mentioned plate remaining stationary With the frame but closely adjacent to said Wheel and gear, rleans to drive said pinion, a guard Wall on one edge oi:l the periphery oil said drum Yformed on the periphery oic the Wheel, a plurality of cutting and elevating members on the periphery of said Wheel, a deilecting scraper supported on said iframe adjacent the drum to remove material elevated on said drum, a dirt loosening device, and means in said detlecting scraper to permit oit' the passage et the dirt loosening device.

l?. ln combination, an automotive vehicle, a ditcher connected thereto, means on said ditcher tor supporting in a plurality of positions the inner end of said ditcher, resilient means on the outer end of said ditcher for connection with a second supporting means connected to said automotive vehicle for supporting the outer end of the ditcher yieldingly to conform to the variations of the position of the ditcher in said ditch.

18. In combination, an automotive vehicle, a frame therefor, a iframe mounted at right angles thereto thereon consisting ot a pair of upright liv-beams spaced from one another, a ditcher trame having on either side thereof adjacent said I-beams a bracket for a pair of rollers' traveling in the depressed portions of said -beams on the opposite side of said l-beam and rollers traveling on opposite edges of one of the cross members of said Ill-beam, said brackets and roller members being connected to one another by a cross member', a brace extending from said cross member upwardly and laterally to engage With one or' the I-beams and rollers on said brace engaging With said I-beam, a resilient means connected to said brace at one end and to the vertical frame at the other end 'or yieldingly supporting the guiding mechanism for the inner end or the ditcher trame adjacent the automotive vehicle, whereby the ditcher frame may travel on the` vertical trame of the automotive vehicle and be guided thereby.

19. combination, an automotive vehicle, a frame therefor, a trame mounted at right angles thereto thereon consisting of a pair of upright -beams spaced from one another, a ditcher trame having on either side thereot adjacent said -beams a bracket for a pair of rollers traveling in the depressed portions of said l-beams on the opposite side or said lll-beam and rollers traveling on opposite edges ol' one of the cross members of said l-beam, said brackets and roller members being connected to one another by a cross member, a brace extending from said cross member upwardly and laterally to engage with one ot the -beams and rollers on said brace engaging with said I-beam, a resilient means connected to said brace at one end and to the vertical trame at the other end for yieldingly supporting the guiding` mechanism for the inner end of the ditcher trame adjacent the automotive vehicle, and a sighting means adjustably located upon said brace, whereby the ditcher frame may t fel on the vertical frame of the automotive vehicle and be guided thereby.

20. ln combination, an automotive vehicle trame, a vertical frame thereon consisting or a pair or" -bcams spaced from one another, means to space said -beams, a trame traveling thereon with rollers on said frame engaging with said -beams to prevent lateral and transverse movement, a ditcher trame connected to said cross frame, a support carried by said cross frame, a shaft carried by said support having a laterally projecting arm thereon, a guide roller on the end of said arm, a guide roller on the main portion of said shaft, a second shaft on said support, a second guide roller thereon, a resilient means connected to t-he lirst shaft at one end and to the removable cross trame at the other end, whereby a flexible, means might be guided and kept taut by the rollers on said shaft as said 'frame moves vertically on said vertical trame.

2l. ln combination, an automotive vehicle trame, a. vertical frame thereon consisting o1E a pair or' -beamsspaced from one another, means to space-said I-beams, a trame traveling thereon with rollers on said trame engaging with said lli-beams to prevent lateral and transverse movement, a ditcher frame connected to said cross frame, a support carried lby said cross frame, a shaft carried by said support having a laterally projecting' arm thereon, a guide roller on the end of said arm, a guide roller on the main portion of said shaft, a second shaft on said support, a second guide roller thereon, a resilient means. connected to the first shaft at one end and to the removable cross frame at the other end, and a ditcher :trame connected thereto and resilient means for maintaining in an elevated position said cross trame with respect to said vertical guiding trame, whereby a flexible means might be guided and kept taut by the rollers on said shaft as said frame moves vertically on sai-d vertical frame.

ln testimony whereof, l atx my signature.

GEORGE W. UltlSTEAD. 

